Allaying fears among the general public, Meghalaya Government on Monday asserted that Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine is completely safe and pivotal to save children from the two deadly diseases.
A statement was issued by the Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department, Pravin Bakshi after media reports created a kind of panic among the locals after around 25 students reportedly fell ill after being administered Measles Rubella (MR) vaccination at Sahabad ME Madrassa under Katlicherra revenue circle of Hailakandi district in southern Assam.
Also read: Assam: Hailakandi students’ illness not for MR vaccine, but anxiety and hysteria
District immunization officer, Dr K Thambalsena revealed that the students who were reportedly taken ill after administering of MR vaccine were not due to adverse events following immunization, but due to anxiety and hysteria induced by injection fear.
The District immunization officer said the ‘adverse events following immunization’ symptoms generally associated with MR vaccine such as rashes were not seen in the incident.
Joint Director of Health Services, Dr Avijit Basu, who rushed to the site of the incident and personally monitored the whole situation, categorically stated that had it been adverse events following immunization, all the 120 students being vaccinated at the school would have all fallen ill.
The health authorities here have asked the people not to panic as MR vaccine approved by the WHO is highly safe with a plea to extend support and cooperation to the ongoing MR vaccination campaign in the days ahead.